Drop-out switch



Nova 25, 1941. c, F 2,264,203

DROP-OUT SWITCH Filed May 5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet I Patented Nov. 25, 1941 DROP-OUT SWITCH Cliflord N. Fry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application May 1939, Serial No. 271,845 In Canada September 21, 1938 12 Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches of the enclosed or housed type, that is, the type in which the switch mechanism is enclosed in a casing of porcelain or other suitable insulating material. Considerable annoyance is caused by sleet or ice in cold weather interfering with the operation of the working parts, and in warmer weather short circuiting is often caused by birds or squirrels.

My object, therefore, is to devise an improved arrangement of mounting the switch housing to provide greater protection for the working parts from the weather and from short-circuiting by birds, squirrels or the like.

A further object is to devise an improved and simplified method of mounting the stationary terminals in the housing, and a still further object is to arrange the housing to afford maximum protection for live parts.

I attain my object by means of the constructions hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the switch mounted on a pole arm; 7

Fig. 2 an enlarged longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. 3 an end view of the housing;

Fig. 4 a detail sectional view showing a modifled form of engagement between the casing and supporting arm;

Fig. 5 a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modifled arrangement;

Fig. 6 an end view, partly broken away, showing a multiple or repeater switch arrangement;

and

Fig. 7 a detail illustrating another form of in sulating pin.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

According to the preferred manner of carrying -the present invention into effect an elongated insulating casing l preferably of glazed porcelain is provided here shown comprising a top having a centrally disposed mounting abutment 2 and provided with down-turned rectangularly disposed side flanges 3 and heavy end flanges I and 5.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 the abutment or massive portion of the top I slopes upwardly to a horizon al seat portion 6 adapted to bear against the underside of a pole arm I or the like and parallelly spaced rib projections 8 are adapted to cooperate with the bottom shoulders of the arm I to position the casing in right angular relation to the arm.

According to the modification shown in Figure 4 the ribs or protuberances 8 are placed so that they embedthemselves in the under surface of the arm to effect an accurate positioning of the casing.

The abutment portion 2 is provided with a vertical orifice 9 preferably moulded with a round shouldered thread to receive the lower threaded end of a mounting pin it which is preferably of wood to avoid the necessity of grounding, the arm I being bored vertically to receive the pin Ill and an insulator II is adapted to be threaded ion the upper threaded end thereof to not only mount the insulator but also draw the insulating casing into firmly clamped relation to the arm I.

A horizontal opening I2 intersects the bottom of the threaded orifice 9 so that any moisture that may find its way thereinto will be drained outwardly.

Referring to Fig. 2, the housing has a stationary terminal mounted therein at each end. The terminal I4 is arranged to hingedly and detachably receive the terminal IS on the end of the fuseholding tube ll, while the terminal I8 is arranged as a latch to releasably engage the terminal IS on the other end of the tube II.

The terminal H is provided with a threaded stem 20, which extends through a hole 25 in the end wall 5 of the housing. A lock or securing nut 2| is threaded upon the stem to retain the terminal in place. This stem is formed with a bore 22 to receive the bare end of an insulated conductor 23, which conductor is held in place by one or more set screws 24 threaded through the wall of the stem. It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the hole or notch 25 extends to the bottom of the end wall, but is provided with abutments l3 to support the stem 20. The abutments, however, are spaced apart a suflicient distance to permit the entrance of a screw driver or other tool for tightening or loosening the set screws 24.

It will be noted. that a rib 26 is formed integral with the end of the housing extending over and down each side of the stem 20, thus forming a recess to receive the securing nut 2| and protect it from accidental contact by birds or squirrels.

It will be noted also that the set screws 24 tend to prevent any rotary movement of the stem 20 in the hole 25. I

The terminal I is provided with spaced arms, which are formed with a curved slot 21, the ends of which are formed as bearings to receive trunnions 20 on the tube terminal IS. The terminal l8 comprises a headed stem 20 and a spring retainer 29, and a bumper 30. The stem extends clamped in place between the head of and the-inside of the end wall of housing by tightening up the nut II. A member II pivoted an an arm 32 extending It will be readily appreciated that a construetion such as defined will provide a highly desirthe side of the tube terminal "has a' shoulder adjacent its end which shoulder engages throughaholeintheotbermdnlllorthe' deviceshowninFlg.'2.Thecovei-whichis homing. Thisstemilisformedwithaborefl formedofpora-Jamorothersuitableinsulating toreceivethebareendoftheotherconductorll. materiaLispreferablysupportedbybracketsll andtheproiectingendofsaid'stemil isthreadand" formedintegralrespectivelywlththeteredtoreceiveasecuringnut-Zl toretain itin 8 minals-ll andll. Thecoveris'providedwlth place. ahandlell.

Thespringretainerflismountedonthestem Intheform of inventlonshowninl'lg 2,it Ilfithiaretaineralongwithabumpermember willbenotedthatthehingebracketterminalll erably provided with integral partitions I. to

able protection of the switching elements against 30 the deleterious action of the weather and there will be little possibility of ice formation interfering with the desired action of the fuse-released member. The construction will also provide amaximum of protection from short-circuiting by.

birdsor squirrels.

a repeater switch in which upon the blowing of one fuse, another unit is substituted in the circuit. As the mechanism for'causing this repeater action is not part of the present invention it is neither shown nor described. It will be apparent, however, that the terminals at the load or output end of the housing will be electrically connected together by a bus bar 44, or

Furthermore, the direct mounting of the unit onthearmeliminatestheuseofexpensiveme- .tallic mounting brackets which are constantly subiect to deterioration.

I am aware that iuse release switches ofv this i type have-been in use for some time but the practice heretofore has invariably involved the vertical or substantial vertical mounting of the fuse holder so that the full gravitational opening influence was not utilized during the initial opening stage, and furthermore, the vertical mounting even where attempts were made to partly enclose the mechanism left the fuse holder and co-operating parts obiectionably exposed to the elements, whereas the present invention obviates these dii'llculties.

In Fig. 5 a modified form of switch is formed.

The housing I is supported in a similar manner to the housing I. The terminal II is secured in place in the same manner as the terminal ll and the hinge bracket II is secured in place in the a spring contact ll, which-is adapted to be en-' gaged by a contact arm it formed integral with theflterminalil' on the tube II. The latch member II andspring contact I! operate in a similar manner to the corresponding parts II and II of Fig. 2.

I may, if desired, provide a cover for the under side of the housing. Such a cover II is shown in Fig. 5, but may be applied also to the form of other suitable means, while at the line end. means will be provided for, upon the blowing of a fuse in one unit, automatically switching in a fresh unit.

In Fig. 6, one tubular member is shown in "blown" position, while' the other two are shown in "se pomtion. In Fig. 7 a modified form of supporting pin is shown. The pin 45 is formed of wood or other insulating material. and is provided at one end with an integral head I, its other end being threaded at 41 for insertion in the opening in the back of the housing.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a circuit interrupter of the fuse-released type,aninsulatingcasingclosedatthetopand having downwardly depending side and end walls, means directly co-operating with said casing and with a suitable support for rigidly securing said casing in a horizontal position opening downwardly, terminals entering said casing through the opposite'ends thereof in horlzontally spaced relation, and a fuse-released switch member eo-operatively interposed between said terminals within the casing in a normal substantially horizontal position and adapted to swing downwardly to a substantially vertical position on the rupturing of the fuse.

2. In a circuit interrupter, the combination of an insulating housing having a back and side and end walls integral with said back; means for supporting said housing with its open front directed downwardly: a terminal supported by one of the end walls of the housing in such a manner that a portion of said terminal is disposed within the housing and another portion of said terminal is extended to the outside of said housing; a second terminal supported by the opposite end wall of said housing in such manner that a portion at said second terminal is disposed within the housing and another portion of said second terminal is extended outside of said housing; a fuse cartridge for bridging said first mentioned and said second mentioned terminals and movable into closed circuit and open circuit positions; and

, a fuse link for holding said fuse cartridge in the closed switch position when said fuse link is intact and adapted to permit the fuse cartridge to move to the open switch position when said fuse link is ruptured.

3. In a circuit interrupter, the combination of an integral elongated housing of insulating material comprising a back, side and end walls;

means for supporting said housing with its front directed downwardly; a pair of terminals within said housing one adjacent each end thereof, circuit making and breaking means extending longitudinally of the housing for bridging said terminals, each end wall having an opening formed therethrough, and each terminal including a mounting stem of conducting material extending through said opening; and means for connecting a conductor to one of said mounting stems.

4. The combination with a horizontally extending pole arm having a hole formed vertically therethrough, of an electric switch having a substantially rectangular shaped housing formed of insulating material closed for its full length on the upper side and having downwardly depending side and end walls; a mounting pin' secured centrally of the closed top side and extending through said hole in the pole arm; meanscarried by said closed side for non-rotatably interlocking with the pole arm; and circuit making and breaking means in said housing.

5. The combination with a horizontally extending pole arm having a hole formed vertically therethrough, of an electric switch having a substantially rectangular shaped housing formed of insulating material closed for its full length on the upper side and having downwardly depending side and end walls; a mounting pin of insulating material secured centrally of the closed top side and extending through said hole in the pole arm and circuit making and breaking means in said housing.

6. The combination with a horizontally extending pole arm having a hole formed vertically therethrough, of an electric switch having a substantially rectangular shaped housing formed of insulatingmaterial closed for 'its full length on the upper side and having downwardly depending side and end walls, said closed top side hava threaded orifice formed substantially centrally thereof; a headed mounting pin extending through the hole in the pole arm into the orifice in the housing, the head of said pin being formed of insulating material; and circuit making and breaking means in said housing.

'7. In a circuit interrupter, the combination of a housing of insulating material and comprising a back, side walls and end walls; circuit making and breaking means in said housing; and a mounting pin of insulating material secured substantially centrally of the back of the housing and projecting therebeyond for securement to a support.

8. In electrical apparatus, the combination of a housing of insulating material, "electrical apparatus in said housing, said housing having a threaded socket formed in its well; and a mounting pin of insulating material threaded in said socket and projecting from said housing for securement to a suitable support.

9. For use in a circuit interrupter, an integral housing of insulating material comprising a back, side walls and end walls, one of said end walls being of lesser height than the side walls, said end wall having a keyhole shaped opening formed therethrough, the narrow portion of said opening extending to the peripheral edge of said end wall, the other end wall having a hole formed transversely therethrough.

10. For use in a circuit interrupter, an integral housing of insulating material comprising a back, side walls and end walls, one of said end walls being of lesser height than the side walls, said end wall havinga keyhole shaped opening formed therethrough, the narrow portion of said opening extending to the peripheral. edge of said end wall; the other end wall having a hole formed transversely therethrough, and means at each end for shielding terminal members that may be located in said opening.

11. In a circuit interrupter, the combination of an integral, elongated housing of insulating material comprising a back, side and end walls, means for supporting said housing with its front directed downwardly, a pair of terminals within said housing one adjacent each end thereof, circuit making and breaking means extending longitudinally of the housing for bridging said terminals, each end wall having an opening formed therethrough and each terminal including a mounting stem of conducting material extending through said opening to the outer wall so as to be directly accessible from the outside of the housing for wiring, and means for connecting a conductor to at least one of said mounting stems, means at each of said ends of said housing for shielding the outer ends of said mounting stems.

'12. An electric switch including an insulating housing disposed in a, substantially horizontal position and open at the bottom, said housing being provided with a top wall, side walls and end walls, a terminal supported by one of the end walls in such manner that a portion of said terminal is disposed within said housing and another portion of said terminal is extended through one of the end walls to the outside of said housing so as to be directly accessible from the outside of the housing for wiring, a second terminal member supported by the opposite end wall of said housing in such manner that a portion of said second terminal is disposed within 55, said housing and anotherportion of said second terminal is extended through said opposite wall to the outside of said housing so as to be directly accessible from the outside of the housing for wiring, means at .the end portions of said housing adjacent said terminals for shielding the portions of said terminals which extend through said end walls of the housing, a fuse cartridge for bridging said first-mentioned and second-mentioned terminals and movable into closed-circuit position and open-circuit position, and means including a fuse link for holding said fuse cartridge in the closed position when said fuse link is intact and adapted to permit the fuse cartridge to move to open position when said fuse link is ruptured.

- CIM'ORD N. FRY. 

